These Patio Lighting Ideas Amp Up Your Outdoor Ambiance
Spending time outdoors is what warm weather is for, but relying solely on natural light means the fun ends when the sun goes down. The best patio lighting ideas don't infringe on your outdoor space's existing natural beauty; they enhance it. Recessed lighting, for instance, is so subtle you’ll hardly notice it. Proper lighting can also improve the safety of your patio or deck by illuminating steps, uneven terrain in your backyard, or the border of your pool.
Incorporating deck lighting ideas into your outdoor space might sound daunting due to the prospect of added electrical work, but in most cases, you won’t need any additional wiring beyond what you already have. If electrical outlets and wiring are scarce, you can still rely on candles, lanterns, and trendy cordless lamps to light up your patio or deck.
No matter what kind of lighting you're looking for, we've rounded up the 22 best patio lighting ideas. From tree-strung globe lights to classic stake options, there's a perfect patio or deck lighting idea for any outdoor space. Enhance your evenings outdoors and keep the party going long after the sun sets.
Inspiration for your outdoor area:
Try a Candelabra
Patio lighting ideas can be just as elegant as your indoor fixtures. Take inspiration from designer Christina Rottman who chose this candelabra so the dining area could be “casual by day and dressy by night.”
Install Task Lighting
In an outdoor kitchen, lighting is crucial to ensure the cooking goes off without a hitch. Instead of rigging something complicated, you can install a single task-style light for total patio lighting focus.
Utilize Your Trellis
A trellis—or row of trellises as seen in this Jeremiah Brent-designed patio—can do more than simply support your vining plants. Hang a series of outdoor lanterns from them to light up your space. Bonus points if your fixtures are battery- or solar-operated to eliminate cords.
Use What You Already Have
When your patio is located just off your home's exterior, you can simply use the lighting that's already installed. For a multidirectional glow, the outdoor fireplace casts light on a cozy summer evening.
Hang a Row of Pendants
To illuminate this long outdoor bar, the team behind Intimate Living Interiors chose four woven pendants centered over each place setting. The texture of the lights in this patio lighting idea mimics the woven bar stools for a cohesive look.
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Look for Antiques
This covered patio is grand on all accounts, and it's only made better by the classic, brass chandelier that hangs over the seating area. If your interior has a particular aesthetic, don't be afraid to emulate that in your outdoor space as well.
Use Taper Candles
If you're only outdoors after dark on select occasions, keep your patio lighting ideas temporary as well. A mix of blue taper candles and rattan-wrapped hurricane votives offer ambient lighting that can simply be extinguished when the party's over.
Keep It Simple
In this outdoor patio in Louisville, Kentucky, designer Bethany Adams chose a singular lantern fixture to illuminate the space. It's placed closer to the doorway than the seating area to allow for functional visibility.
String Shaded Bulbs
A step above using Edison-style string lights, designer Sheldon Harte opted for multiple lines of strung bulbs with clear shades to help direct light downward. This kind of patio lighting idea is handy when outdoor outlets are in short supply.
Related Story: The Best Outdoor String Lights for Your Patio
Hardwire a Chandelier
Your patio is an extension of your home's interior, and you should design it as such! Because this patio is covered, the homeowners were able to install a traditional light fixture to bring a modern edge to this outdoor living room.
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Try a Row of Hurricanes
Candlelight is romantic, but it can be just as bright as a bulb when clustered in a group. A row of glass hurricanes with large pillar candles inside elegantly light this walkway. Plus, if you opt for citronella candles, your lighting can double as bug repellant.
Hang from the Trees
Using tree branches offers a smart patio lighting idea for spaces short on outlets and extension cords. Hang a pair of woven globe pendants with flameless tea lights inside to artfully illuminate the area.
Light the Way
Installing small lights on each step of your outdoor stairway allows them to serve as an ambient feature and a safety measure. Choose a finish that coordinates with your home's exterior for cohesive curb appeal.
Sneak In Recessed Lighting
For a patio lighting idea that takes up virtually no space, opt for traditional recessed can lights. The frames can be painted to match their installed surface for that seamless look. In this space designed by Monica Santayana and Ronald Alvarez of MONIOMI Design, white shiplap makes the lights almost disappear, so you only notice them when they're on.
Barely There Bulbs
When overhead outdoor light is rarely needed, like by the swimming pool, a pair of outdoor spotlights provide the perfect amount of visibility. Take this patio lighting idea from designer Michael Ellison and this open-frame, poolside pergola.
Illuminate with Garden Stakes
A quick and cost-effective way to install patio or deck lighting is through solar- or battery-powered stake lights. These low-profile lights are sleek yet durable enough to withstand any summer storms that roll through.
Related Story: The Best Outdoor Lighting Options for Style and Safety
Cluster Woven Pendants
To recreate the ambiance of your favorite outdoor restaurant, go maximalist with your lighting scheme. Designer Eric Olsen chose these woven pendants to help accentuate the 20-foot-high ceiling beams in this space. The texture of this patio lighting idea also helps to bring a natural touch into the mostly hardscaped surroundings.
Get a Combination Ceiling Fan
Relaxing outdoors is all fun and games (literally!) until the heat wave rolls through. Opt for a sleek ceiling-fan-and-light combination fixture to maximize visibility while staying cool. The all-white model in this Caroline Rafferty-designed space nearly blends in with the paneled ceiling.
Focus a Spotlight
In this Jean Liu-designed backyard, the lights are so subtle that they're practically unnoticeable. But just under the trees, you'll find a slim spotlight that shines a single beam to moodily light this patio space.
Install Plug-In Sconces
In patio environments where hardwiring isn't possible everywhere, like this indoor-outdoor patio by Kingston Lafferty, choose plug-in fixtures where it makes sense. The key is to try and match the hanging cord's color to the affixed surface.
Highlight a Walkway
For a safer outdoor space, focus your patio lighting ideas on the major walkways. Two subtle outdoor lights frame either side of this stairway to better illuminate the terrain.
Hang String Lights
String lights, while often associated with college dorm rooms, can actually be chic when used correctly. Take inspiration from this cozy outdoor patio and cross a pair of fixtures to focus the lighting where you need it most, like over the al fresco dining table.
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